Born in Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama, Williams moved to Georgiana, where he met Rufus Payne, a black street performer who gave him guitar lessons in exchange for meals. Payne had a major influence on Williams's later musical style. During this time, Williams informally changed his name to Hank, believing it to be a better name for country music. After moving to Montgomery, Williams began his career in 1937 when WSFA radio station producers hired him to perform and host a 15-minute program. He formed as backup the Drifting Cowboys band, which was managed by his mother, and dropped out of school to devote all of his time to his career.
When several of his band members were conscripted to military service during World War II, Williams had trouble with their replacements and started drinking heavily, causing WSFA to dismiss him. Williams eventually married Audrey Sheppard, who became his manager for nearly a decade. After recording "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin'" with Sterling Records, he signed a contract with MGM Records. In 1948 he released "Move it on Over," which became a hit, and also joined the Louisiana Hayride radio program. In 1949, he released a cover of "Lovesick Blues," which carried him into the mainstream of music. After an initial rejection, Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry. He had 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953, though he was unable to read or notate music to any significant degree. Among the hits he wrote were "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."
During his last years Williams's consumption of alcohol, morphine and other painkillers severely compromised his professional and personal life. He divorced his wife and was dismissed by the Grand Ole Opry due to frequent drunkenness. Williams died suddenly in the early morning hours of New Years Day in 1953 at the age of 29. Despite his short life, Williams has had a major influence on country music. The songs he wrote and recorded have been covered by numerous artists, many of whom have also had hits with the tunes, in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles.
Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed September 21 "Hank Williams Day". The first celebration, in 1954 featured the unveiling of a monument at the Cramton Bowl, that was later placed in the grave site of Williams. The ceremony featured Ferlin Husky interpreting "I Saw the Light".[70]
Williams had 11 number one hits in his career ("Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Why Don't You Love Me," "Moanin' the Blues," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive," "Kaw-Liga," "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "Take These Chains from My Heart"), as well as many other top ten hits.[71]
In 1961, Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he was inducted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1987, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category Early Influence. He was ranked second in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003, behind only Johnny Cash. His son, Hank Jr., was ranked on the same list. In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked him number 74 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The website Acclaimedmusic, which collates recommendations of albums and recording artists, has a year-by-year recommendation for top artists. Hank Williams is ranked first for the decade 1940–1949 for his song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Many rock and roll pioneers of the 1950s, such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded Williams songs early in their careers.
The Angel of Death
Hank Williams Lyrics
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When you'll be laid beneath the cold clay
The angel of death will come from the sky
And claim your poor soul when the time comes to die
When the angel of death comes down after you
Can you smile and say that you have been true?
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath?
When the lights all grow dim and the dark shadows creep
And then your loved ones are gathered to weep
Can you face them and say with your dying breath?
That you're ready to meet the angel of death
When the angel of death comes down after you
Can you smile and say that you have been true?
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath?
That you're ready to meet the angel of death
The lyrics of Hank Williams's song "The Angel of Death" are filled with poignant questioning and an ominous warning. The song is a reminder that we all have a finite amount of time and that we should live our lives in a way that prepares us for our inevitable end. The first verse speaks of the inevitability of death, quoting from the Bible where it speaks of being laid beneath the cold clay. Williams then goes on to describe the moment when the angel of death comes to take a person's soul.
In the subsequent verses, the lyrics offer a question that forces the listener to take a step back and consider their life thus far. The lyric, "Can you truthfully say with your dying breath?" is a sobering reminder that we never know when our time will come, and that we must always be prepared to face it. Ultimately, the song encourages listeners to live their lives with an eye toward the future, not just the present.
Overall, the song's lyrics are a warning against living for the moment without any concern for the future. It is a reminder that life is short and that we should all strive to live in a way that prepares us for the inevitable moment when we must face the angel of death.
Line by Line Meaning
In the great book of John you're warned of the day
In the biblical book of John, it is foretold that there will be a day where you will be buried in the cold ground.
When you'll be laid beneath the cold clay
This is a reference to death and burial; the body will be placed in the earth.
The angel of death will come from the sky
Death is often seen as an ethereal figure who comes to take one's soul. The metaphor of the angel of death coming from the sky is used to illustrate this concept.
And claim your poor soul when the time comes to die
Death will come to take one's soul when the time for passing on arrives.
When the angel of death comes down after you
This line is repeated several times throughout the song and refers to the moment of death, when one is taken by Death.
Can you smile and say that you have been true?
Are you able to die with a clear conscience, knowing that you have lived a good and honest life?
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath?
Are you able to honestly state in the final moments of your life that you are ready to face your own death?
That you're ready to meet the angel of death
This line is also repeated throughout the song and asks if you are truly prepared to die and face Death.
When the lights all grow dim and the dark shadows creep
This line describes the moment when one's life is ending and the world around them is growing dark.
And then your loved ones are gathered to weep
After one's death, loved ones come together to mourn.
Can you face them and say with your dying breath?
Are you able to face your family and friends as you are dying and honestly tell them you are ready to face your death?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind